Chapter Summaries

The Emissary sought Remulos's help to resurrect Kites, but Remulos refused until Elune showed him a possible future in which the Alliance's lack of a king prevented Thrall from stopping the Cataclysm. Elune told Remulos to obtain a dying Varian from another Timeline and place Kites's memories in his soul, while Robbie realized he had been outmaneuvered.

• The Emissary asked Remulos to pray to Elune for Kites's resurrection, but Remulos blamed the Emissary's failures and refused to help.
• The Emissary threatened Remulos, who then agreed to pray to Elune, while Robbie slipped into the temple unseen.
• Elune spoke through the statue, criticized the Emissary's failure, and showed Remulos a Timeline where Varian's death led to Anduin's exile and Deathwing killed Thrall.
• Elune explained that Thrall needed an Alliance king to complete the Cataclysm and agreed to bring a king back by an indirect method.
• Elune instructed Remulos to retrieve a gravely ill Varian from another Timeline, cure him, and infuse Kites's memories into his soul.
• Robbie watched the exchange and realized Elune had outmaneuvered him.

Robbie followed the Emissary and Remulos to the Caverns of Time, where Elune’s scheme to retrieve Varian concealed the destruction of an abandoned Timeline. He discovered that the plot had failed to trap the Veteran and learned from Murozond that the mysterious figure existed outside all Timelines.

• Robbie secretly followed the Emissary and Remulos to the Caverns of Time to watch Elune’s method of creating a new king.
• An elderly bronze dragon explained that the abandoned Timeline differed from theirs and claimed Elune had erased it because Abercrombie’s potion threatened her authority.
• The Emissary and Remulos returned from the Timeline carrying its sickly King Varian, while the bronze dragons let the Timeline collapse into Sands of Time.
• A Veteran in a Stormwind City Uniform revealed footprints on the Oval Platform and smugly believed he had eliminated a threat before leaving the Caverns of Time.
• Murozond arrived too late to find the vanished Timeline, and Robbie told him he had seen through Elune’s deception.
• Murozond explained that the Veteran existed outside every Timeline and warned Robbie that his plan had been sound but he had chosen the wrong person.

Murozond told Robbie that Tirion Fordring was unique across the timelines and suggested targeting him to force Elune to resurrect him, while Robbie planned to use someone else to kill him. Meanwhile, Varian awoke aboard a ship with altered memories and accepted a staff officer’s advice to conceal the loss of fifty thousand troops, yet felt like a stranger in his own world.

• Murozond identified Tirion Fordring as a timeline-unique figure whose death could compel Elune to act, and Robbie said he would arrange the killing through another person.
• Varian awoke from a nightmare and recalled leading an army against the Scourge, being surrounded, and escaping with Garrosh’s help.
• Varian learned from a staff officer that his fifty thousand troops had supposedly been almost entirely wiped out, and he vowed to take responsibility and step down.
• The staff officer described two paths to historical greatness, and Varian chose the demanding path of self-discipline.
• The staff officer offered to silence anyone who knew about the lost troops, and Varian accepted the cover-up before feeling alienated from his surroundings.

Vol'jin learned that Zol'Maz knew where the inherited relic Destroyer of Worlds was, but Zol'Maz demanded that Garrosh leave Zul'Drak so he could claim a Loa's power. Vol'jin decided to enlist Sylvanas by telling her the Loa might be able to bring the Undead back to life, and Sylvanas received his letter with interest.

• Vol'jin welcomed Zol'Maz and his starving Drakkari followers, then heard how Frost King Malakk had driven Zol'Maz out of his underground palace.
• Zol'Maz offered to reveal Destroyer of Worlds' location if Vol'jin helped him obtain a Loa's power and forced Garrosh to withdraw from Zul'Drak.
• Vol'jin claimed credit for Novos's transformation and told Zol'Maz a fabricated story about his ancestral right to rule the Gurubashi Empire.
• Zol'Maz warned that threats would not make him reveal the relic's location, and Vol'jin agreed to find a way to make Garrosh leave.
• Vol'jin decided Sylvanas was the only one who could stop Garrosh and sent her a secret letter suggesting the Loa might restore the Undead to life.
• Sylvanas read Vol'jin's letter in Undercity and recognized that he had been behind Prophet Saronite's fall.

Sylvanas traveled secretly to Northrend seeking the power of the Loa and met a blind Tuskarr who offered her a glimpse of the future. The vision showed Tirion Fordring killing Taelan, joining with Ner'zhul, and slaying Sylvanas, leaving her alarmed by the threat ahead.

• Sylvanas accepted Vol'jin's scheme and secretly sailed to Northrend with Blightcaller, High Archmage Antonidas, and elite Forsaken troops.
• Sylvanas landed at an abandoned Tuskarr village, where a blind elder recognized her and named Tirion Fordring as his enemy.
• The Tuskarr elder offered Sylvanas his spiritual power so she could see fragments of the future through his eyes.
• Sylvanas saw Tirion kill Taelan, then discover Ner'zhul hidden inside Taelan's helmet and plan to rule Azeroth with him.
• Sylvanas saw Tirion kill her with Ashbringer and burn her body with Holy Light.

After a vision showed Tirion Fordring killing Sylvanas with the Ashbringer, Sylvanas decided to act against him. Tirion died during a meal in the Argent Crusade camp, and Vol'jin asked Sylvanas to raise him as one of the Forsaken.

• Sylvanas recovered from a vision in the ruins of a Tuskarr village and concluded that Tirion Fordring and the Ashbringer threatened the Forsaken.
• Sylvanas asked Nathanos about his human-targeting poison, then traveled to the Argent Crusade camp in Dragonblight.
• Vol'jin and Eitrigg served Tirion Fordring as a meal, and Vol'jin cut off a piece for himself.
• Tirion Fordring suffered a massive hemorrhage and died, though Vol'jin found no sign of poison.
• Vol'jin asked Sylvanas to turn Tirion Fordring into one of the Forsaken, and he dismissed the need for anyone's approval.

Sylvanas turned Tirion Fordring into one of the Forsaken and raised an army of Tuskarr skeletons to make Garrosh believe the Scourge was attacking him. Garrosh retreated from Zul'Drak toward the Howling Fjord, convinced Arthas had warned him to stay away.

• Vol'jin offered Sylvanas first pick of Zul'Drak's Loa power in exchange for turning Tirion Fordring into one of the Forsaken, and she ordered Antonidas and several necromancers to perform the transformation.
• Tirion Fordring awoke as one of the Forsaken, learned that his Holy Light powers were gone, and regained his resolve to remain the Argent Crusade's leader and fight the Scourge.
• Sylvanas and Antonidas raised Tuskarr skeletons in the Argent Crusade's camp and armed them as Warriors of the Forsaken.
• Tuskarr skeletal soldiers attacked seven of Garrosh's logistical units over three days, killing Orc soldiers and burning supplies while leaving survivors to report the assaults.
• Garrosh mistook the attacks for a warning from the Scourge and led his army out of Zul'Drak toward the Howling Fjord.

Dranosh provoked Garrosh with news about Sylvanas and Tirion Fordring, but Garrosh chose to pursue his own interests rather than openly clash with Vol'jin. Vol'jin tried to protect Tirion’s role in the northern expedition, then learned that Doras had destroyed Tirion’s reputation through a public opinion campaign.

• Dranosh hosted Garrosh, insulted him, and revealed that Sylvanas had frightened him and turned Tirion Fordring into one of her undead.
• Garrosh confirmed Dranosh’s claims, wrote to Doras, and led his army toward the Zul'Drak Empire while avoiding an open break with Vol'jin.
• Vol'jin negotiated with Frost King Malakk, while Garrosh threatened to expose Tirion Fordring’s undead identity unless Vol'jin gave up his claim to the empire’s benefits.
• Vol'jin told Eitrigg that Balnazzar could use Grand Crusader Dathrohan as a replacement for Tirion Fordring if necessary.
• Argent Crusade soldiers surrounded Tirion Fordring’s tent and demanded that he submit to a test for undeath.
• Eitrigg told Vol'jin that Doras had branded Tirion Fordring a Scourge spy with fabricated evidence, driving recruits away from the Argent Crusade and prompting attacks on Jaina and the Peace Dove.

Vol'jin's attempt to contain the scandal over Tirion Fordring's undead identity was overtaken by a staged miracle that restored the Argent Crusade's faith and teleported Tirion and thousands of soldiers away. The chapter ended with the Emissary ordering Remulos to gather people in Moonglade to prepare for Tirion's resurrection.

• Vol'jin realized Doras's accusations had implicated the Peace Dove and decided to slaughter the unarmed Argent Crusade soldiers to protect Tirion Fordring's secret.
• A mysterious human Veteran tortured Vol'jin, then ordered him and Eitrigg to keep quiet and help stage Tirion's resurrection, warning that the Scourge was behind the plot.
• A radiant display and a voice claiming to be the Holy Light convinced the Argent Crusade soldiers to follow Tirion, while the Veteran selected more than ten thousand of them and teleported them away with Tirion.
• News of the miracle spread across Azeroth, easing doubts about Tirion and prompting Doras to stay silent.
• In Remulos's palace in Moonglade, the Emissary told Remulos that the Moon Goddess had ordered Tirion's resurrection and gave him a list of people to gather without revealing the purpose.

Remulos and the Emissary arranged the Ten Thousand Souls Resurrection Technique, which required five hundred Druids and more than ten thousand Argent Crusade soldiers to willingly sacrifice themselves to resurrect Tirion Fordring. Cairne Bloodhoof’s plan to persuade the soldiers began with bribery and threats, then magical crowd influence as he prepared to speak.

• Remulos learned that five hundred sleeping Druids and thousands of Argent Crusade soldiers were to be sacrificed for Tirion Fordring’s resurrection, and the Emissary explained that every sacrifice had to be willing.
• The Emissary recruited Cairne Bloodhoof to persuade the Argent Crusade, and Cairne proposed using violence, faith, and crowd-following to secure their cooperation.
• After the Emissary offered him a wish, Cairne asked to marry an Orc woman he had fallen in love with.
• Cairne threatened several bribable Argent Crusade officers into helping him, while more than ten thousand soldiers gathered beneath a purple Magic Shield around the altar holding Tirion Fordring.
• As Cairne mounted the platform, magic amplified the crowd’s cheers until even reluctant soldiers shouted his name.

Cairne Bloodhoof manipulated the Argent Crusade into supplying souls and bodies for Tirion Fordring’s resurrection, using Y'Shaarj’s power to inflame their emotions. The Emissary spared the few soldiers who resisted, and Remulos began securing Moonglade for the secret next stage of the resurrection.

• The Emissary mocked the Argent Crusade as Cairne Bloodhoof rallied them with speeches about Thrall, Tirion Fordring, and sacrificing themselves for Azeroth.
• Cairne asked the soldiers to give their lives to heal Tirion, while magically amplified voices made it seem as though the crowd had agreed.
• The Emissary revealed that moonlight and Y'Shaarj’s emotion-manipulating power had opened the soldiers’ minds, driving most of them toward the altar’s blood-red vortex.
• The vortex consumed the Argent Crusade soldiers and formed a vast mass of writhing flesh above the altar.
• Remulos sent the unaffected soldiers out of Moonglade, and the Emissary said the true resurrection procedure had to remain secret from the Scourge.
• Remulos agreed to activate Moonglade’s highest defense system before the resurrection’s crucial stage.

Remulos and the Emissary activated Moonglade’s defenses and used Elune’s power to expose hidden intruders, while Robbie remained disguised among Cairne Bloodhoof’s guards. Elune began the Ten Thousand Souls Resurrection Technique with five hundred Druids, and Robbie tried to observe the secret ritual.

• Remulos activated the Titans Shield, and Elune’s power swept through Moonglade, revealing and destroying hidden Faceless Ones and other enemies.
• Remulos and the Emissary concluded that Moonglade was secure, unaware that Robbie had infiltrated the altar disguised as one of Cairne Bloodhoof’s Tauren guards.
• The Emissary brought five hundred Night Elf Druids to the Temple of Remulos, where they swore secrecy and memorized divided, partly false incantations.
• Elune directed the Druids into assigned positions around the mass of flesh on the altar, and Robbie tried to spy on the resurrection ritual.

Robbie watched Elune resurrect Tirion Fordring through a ritual that created and destroyed an Old God embryo, then recorded the process for the Scourge to study. As the Scourge scholars analyzed the ritual, Arthas told Robbie that a new Lich King would be needed after the Scourge withdrew from the world.

• Robbie observed the Druids' spells and saw Elune use more than ten thousand Argent Crusade souls to form an Old God embryo, destroy it, and create a new Tirion Fordring.
• The Undead Tirion Fordring devoured the newly formed body, restoring his flesh and repairing his soul, while the Old God's heart drained the Power of the Dead from him.
• Elune ended the ritual, and the resurrected Tirion Fordring took up the Ashbringer and declared that the Lich King's end had come, but then collapsed.
• The human Veteran explained that Tirion had to take the black heart to a place corrupted by the Old Gods and destroy it to complete his resurrection.
• Robbie returned to Icecrown Citadel, where Scourge scholars studied his recording of the ritual, and Arthas said the Scourge would need a new Lich King after withdrawing from the world.

Arthas asked Robbie to ensure Bolvar would be stopped if he became corrupt, while Tirion Fordring and the Emissary prepared a staged attempt to redeem Arthas’s black heart at the Dark Cathedral. As reporters gathered to witness the planned showdown, Garrosh summoned the Emissary, who went to meet him.

• Arthas told Robbie that he feared whoever inherited the Scourge’s power would be consumed by ambition, and Robbie vowed to kill Bolvar if he broke his oath.
• Tirion Fordring threw Arthas’s black heart into the Forgotten Abyss under the Emissary’s influence, then discussed using the nearby cathedral to restore his reputation.
• Jaina and Vol'jin invited media figures to Icecrown, where Big Candle Gagg described a planned story about Tirion Fordring attempting to redeem Arthas and falling into a trap.
• Tirion Fordring prepared to enter the Dark Cathedral with Ashbringer as the Emissary watched.
• An Orc scout told the Emissary that Garrosh wanted to see him, and the Emissary agreed to go.

Tirion Fordring’s staged performance at the Dark Cathedral was disrupted when Blightcaller Jim attacked and nearly killed him, while the Emissary was lured away. After the story was covered up and Garrosh was confronted, the Emissary realized Garrosh had not hired Jim and wondered who was behind the attack.

• Blightcaller Jim interrupted Tirion Fordring’s performance, drained his Holy Light, and overpowered him while the Emissary was away.
• The Emissary returned, drove Blightcaller Jim off, and helped Tirion Fordring recover; the media destroyed their photographs and Taelan was found unconscious but unharmed.
• Tirion Fordring and Taelan ended the staged performance with a few pictures before Tirion Fordring destroyed the black heart.
• Garrosh read a report claiming Tirion Fordring had defeated Arthas, then wrote to Doras for answers.
• The Emissary seized Garrosh and accused him of causing the attack, but magic confirmed Garrosh was telling the truth.

The Emissary accepted Vol'jin, Sylvanas, and Eitrigg's false accusation that Saurfang and his son had plotted Tirion Fordring's death. Vol'jin then used the Horde's food and an offer of membership to win Frost King Malakk's trust, leaving the king poised to hear Thrall's request.

• The Emissary threatened Vol'jin over Tirion Fordring's death, and Sylvanas redirected the blame toward the Scourge and an accomplice within the Horde.
• Vol'jin, Eitrigg, and Sylvanas implicated Saurfang and his son, and the Emissary declared that he would make them pay without verifying the accusation.
• Vol'jin, Sylvanas, and Eitrigg resolved to exploit divisions among Frost King Malakk and the Zul'Drak priests to seize the power of the Loa.
• Vol'jin sent food to Frost King Malakk and claimed that Thrall wanted the Zul'Drak Empire to join the Horde.
• Frost King Malakk agreed to consider joining the Horde, and Vol'jin revealed that Thrall had one small request.

Vol'jin offered the Zul'Drak Empire a place in the Horde in exchange for a Loa becoming Thrall's protector, and his proposal set the Loa against their priests. As several Loa considered the offer, Quetz'lun's priests feared for their tribe, and Warlord Zol'Maz hinted that Chief Priest Novos might offer them another path.

• Frost King Malakk agreed to discuss Vol'jin's proposal that a Zul'Drak Loa become Thrall's Loa of Kings in return for the Horde's friendship and protection.
• The Loa and priests rejected the proposal at a meeting, but Vol'jin's offer drove a wedge between them because the priests feared losing their status and their tribes' protection.
• Quetz'lun contacted Vol'jin and negotiated for a golden altar, offerings, chosen priests, authority over them, and the souls of the Horde's fallen.
• Rhunok, Mam'toth, Har'koa, Akali, and other Loa visited Vol'jin, and most expressed willingness to become Thrall's Loa of Kings.
• High Priests Mufunu, Tua'tua, and Havni worried that Quetz'lun would abandon them and their people, until Warlord Zol'Maz arrived and asked whether they remembered Chief Priest Novos.

Warlord Zol'Maz offered Blood Troll essence to three priests as a way to steal Loa power, but Havni learned from Novos that a Scourge magic array was required. As Quetz'lun prepared to erase her past, Tua'tua and Mufunu attacked her, and Tua'tua began transforming after eating her flesh.

• Warlord Zol'Maz showed High Priest Mufunu, High Priest Tua'tua, and High Priest Havni Blood Troll essence and claimed it could destroy a Loa and let someone take its power.
• Havni disguised himself as an adventurer and visited Novos at Drak'Tharon Keep, where Novos explained that absorbing Loa power required a Scourge magic array.
• Quetz'lun returned to her altar, intending to kill the priests who knew her past, but a blood-powered magic array collapsed her body and drove away her soul.
• Tua'tua and Mufunu gathered Quetz'lun's flesh and blood and ate it, while Robbie watched from hiding.
• Tua'tua fell in agony as Wind Serpent wings grew from his back, and he cried out an indistinct name.

Robbie extracted a soulless Quetz'lun from two corrupted priests, while Vol'jin used the aftermath to lure the remaining Loa into the Horde's grasp. Sylvanas discovered that Thrall planned to claim the Loa's power for himself and left for Nazmir with a new destination in mind.

• Robbie fused Holy Light and Arcane energy to extract a soulless Wind Serpent from Mufunu and Tua'tua, then bound and took it away.
• Mufunu and Tua'tua woke with some of Quetz'lun's power, but Vol'jin used their transformation to persuade the other Loa to seek shelter with the Horde.
• Quetz'lun appeared to Har'koa and warned her that the Horde's offer was a trap, so Har'koa chose to trust her old friend.
• Vol'jin revealed that his altar could restrain the five remaining Loa so the Horde could consume their power gradually, but Thrall arrived and claimed the Loa for himself.
• Sylvanas confronted Vol'jin, then returned to camp and ordered Antonidas to open a Portal to Nazmir.

Frost King Malakk failed to keep the Loa from joining the Horde, while Har'koa stayed away. Vol'jin lured the four Loa who came to a welcoming altar, trapped and tortured them, and made them praise Thrall.

• Frost King Malakk tried to persuade Akali to return to the Zul'Drak Empire, but Akali accused the Drakkari of betraying the Loa and refused.
• Malakk failed to convince the other Loa, while Har'koa hid in Sholazar Basin and Akali, Mam'toth, Rhunok, and Sseratus joined the Horde.
• Vol'jin welcomed the four Loa at an altar and asked them to name the being said to stand behind them, but Sseratus said the being was a taboo whose name could not be spoken.
• Vol'jin sprang a trap that weakened and bound the Loa, then ordered Orc and Troll cooks to cut flesh from them for a feast reserved for Thrall.
• Vol'jin struck the Loa with bloody lightning and demanded that the four captives sing the praises of Savior Thrall in unison.